Summary To provide constraints on a number of significant controversial issues related to the structure and dynamics of the Australian continent, we utilize P-to-S receiver functions (RFs) recorded by 182 stations to map the 410 and 660 km discontinuities (d410 and d660, respectively) bordering the mantle transition zone (MTZ). The RFs are stacked in successive circular bins with a radius of 1o under a non-plane wavefront assumption. The d410 and d660 depths obtained using the 1-D IASP91 Earth model show a systematic apparent uplifting of about 15 km for both discontinuities in central and western Australia relative to eastern Australia, as the result of higher seismic wavespeeds in the upper mantle beneath the former area. After correcting the apparent depths using the Australian Seismological Reference Model, the d410 depths beneath the West Australia Craton are depressed by ∼10 km on average relative to the normal depth of 410 km, indicating a positive thermal anomaly of 100 K at the top of the MTZ which could represent a transition from a thinner than normal MTZ beneath the Indian ocean and the normal MTZ beneath central Australia. The abnormally thick MTZ beneath eastern Australia can be adequately explained by subducted cold slabs in the MTZ. A localized normal thickness of the MTZ beneath the Newer Volcanics Province provides supporting evidence of non-mantle-plume mechanism for intraplate volcanic activities in the Australian continent.
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The Upper‐Mantle Structure Beneath Alaska Imaged by Teleseismic S‐Wave Reverberations
Alaska is a tectonically active region with a long history of subduction and terrane accretion, but knowledge of its deep seismic structure is limited by a relatively sparse station distribution. By combining data from the EarthScope Transportable Array and other regional seismic networks, we obtain a high‐resolution state‐wide map of the Moho and upper‐mantle discontinuities beneath Alaska using teleseismic SH‐wave reverberations. Crustal thickness is generally correlated with elevation and the deepest Moho is in the region with basal accretion of the subducted Yakutat plate, consistent with its higher density due to a more mafic composition. The crustal thickness in the Brooks Range agrees with the prediction based on Airy isostasy and the weak free‐air gravity anomaly, suggesting that this region probably does not have significant density anomalies. We also resolve the 410, 520, and 660 discontinuities in most regions, with a thickened mantle transition zone (MTZ) and a normal depth difference between the 520 and 660 discontinuities (d660‐d520) under central Alaska, indicating the presence of the subducted Pacific slab in the upper MTZ. A near‐normal MTZ and a significantly smaller d660‐d520 are resolved under southeastern Alaska, suggesting potential mantle upwelling in the lower MTZ. Beneath the Alaska Peninsula, the thinned MTZ implies that the Pacific slab may not have reached the MTZ in this region, which is also consistent with recent tomography models. Overall, the results demonstrate a bent or segmented Pacific slab with varying depths under central Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula.
more » « less- Award ID(s):
- 2123529
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10418486
- Publisher / Repository:
- DOI PREFIX: 10.1029
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth
- Volume:
- 128
- Issue:
- 6
- ISSN:
- 2169-9313
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Abstract A total of 10,586
P ‐to‐S radial receiver functions recorded by 64 broadband seismic stations were utilized to image the 410 and 660 km discontinuities (d410 and d660, respectively) bordering the mantle transition zone (MTZ) beneath the Sumatra Island, the Malay Peninsula, and the western margin of the South China Sea. The d410 and d660 were imaged by stacking receiver functions in successive circular bins with a radius of 1°, after moveout corrections based on the 1‐D IASP91 Earth model. The resulting apparent depths of the discontinuities exhibit significant and spatially systematic variations. The apparent depths of the d410 and d660 range from 382 to 459 km and 637 to 700 km with an average of 406± 13 and 670± 12 km, respectively, while the corresponding values for the MTZ thickness are 217 to 295 km and 261± 13 km. Underneath southern Sumatra and adjacent regions, the MTZ is characterized by an uplifted d410 and a depressed d660. While the former is probably caused by the low temperature anomaly, the latter is most likely related to a combination of the low temperature anomaly and dehydration associated with the subducted Australian Plate that has reached at least the d660. In contrast, an abnormally thin MTZ is imaged to the southwest of the Toba Caldera. This observation, when combined with results from previous seismic tomography studies, can be explained by advective thermal upwelling through a slab window. -
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Abstract Using recently collected high‐resolution seismic data along a dense linear transect across Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia (called Mid‐Atlantic Geophysical Integrative Collaboration (MAGIC) profile), we analyze P‐to‐S receiver functions to investigate the undulations of the mantle transition zone (MTZ) discontinuities (410‐ and 660‐km) beneath the central Appalachian region. Our results incorporating the effects of local crustal and mantle structures suggest shallowing of both the 410‐ and the 660‐km discontinuities from the northwest (inland) to the southeast (coast) along MAGIC profile. Hydro‐thermal upwelling beneath the eastern U.S. coastal plain due to a hydrated MTZ and hot upwelling return flow associated with the descending lower mantle Farallon slab is consistent with our observations of MTZ structure considering 3D velocity heterogeneity. The inferred hydrous hot upwelling rising into the upper mantle may trigger dehydration melting atop the 410‐km discontinuity, which may help to explain the presence of a low velocity upper mantle anomaly beneath the region today.
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As a consequence of the growth of accretionary orogenic belts in central Asia, the high elevation of the East Sayan Mountains concomitant with the plutonic activities in Jom-Bolok and Azas Plateau volcanic fields provide a rare opportunity to unravel lithospheric deformation induced by large-scale tectonic processes such as the passage of thermal plumes. Here we use receiver functions (RFs) to obtain high-resolution images of the 410 km (d410) and 660 km (d660) discontinuities and to measure mantle transition zone (MTZ) thickness. The average apparent depression of the d410 and d660 for a circular area under northern Mongolia and East Sayan are 14 km and 51 km respectively, leading to a significant thicker-than-normal MTZ with a mean value of 37 km. Our results, when incorporated with previous geochemical characteristics, suggest heterogeneous deep mantle materials highlighted by the great depression of the d660, revealing that possible foundered lithospheric remnants have dripped into the MTZ beneath the East Sayan Mountains. Negative thermal anomalies generated by the recycled lithosphere in the MTZ elucidate the prominent lateral undulation of the MTZ discontinuities, and a MTZ thinning beneath the southwest part of the study area is ascribed to the upward small-scale mantle convection initiated by the foundered lithospheric materials. We suggest that the descending lithosphere is due to the hot mantle plumes interacting with base of the mantle lithosphere which provided a viable perspective for the origin of the widespread magmatisms with distinct geochemical signatures in the region.more » « less
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Abstract To advance our comprehension of the complex geological history and mantle dynamics in the North Atlantic region, we employ all available broadband seismic data recorded in Greenland to reveal an abnormal mantle transition zone (MTZ) structure. Central and eastern Greenland exhibits depressed 410 and 660 km discontinuities (d410 and d660, respectively) bordering the MTZ, indicative of a substantial thermal anomaly associated with an underlying plume, surpassing the 1,800°C threshold for post‐garnet phase transitions at the d660. Variations in MTZ thickness across Greenland stem from differing temperature anomalies at the d410 and d660, possibly linked to a tilted plume within the MTZ. These findings corroborate geodynamic models, elucidating the interaction between post‐garnet phase transitions and upwelling plumes. The results shed light on the origin of the enigmatic Icelandic hotspot track and its influence on the thermal and lithospheric structures beneath Greenland.
